Call Me Old Fashioned
recipe: cranberry old fashioned cocktail.
served since the mid-1800’s, this seasonal twist is the perfect drink to sip on to embrace the transition into cooler weather and the approaching holiday season, enhanced by bartenders’ essential ingredient - ANGOSTURA® orange bitters.
Call me old-fashioned
…but I’m a creature of habit. When I really like something, I’ll go back and order and/or purchase the same thing over and over again. Almost four years ago, I had my first (and best) Old Fashioned in Toronto. Since then, I’ve gained a new appreciation for whiskey-based cocktails and haven’t turned back. Today, if you ask me for my go-to cocktail bar order, go figure it’s the good Old Fashioned. To celebrate my love for this timeless drink, I’ve partnered with ANGOSTURA® bitters to show you my favourite take on the versatile cocktail this holiday season.
Believe it or not, December is upon us and you know what that means… the holidays are here! The holidays are the perfect season to entertain loved ones, and there’s nothing more impressive than pulling out your bar tools and whipping up a cocktail for friends and family. Why not start with a twist on the world’s most popular cocktail? As the original modern cocktail, the Old Fashioned has earned its status as a go-to – it packs flavour and complexity, but the recipe is pretty simple to make at home. With the chilly weather we’ve been experiencing, this Cranberry Old Fashioned is the perfect seasonal drink to keep guests warm and cozy at whatever gathering you’re hosting.
The traditional Old Fashioned combines rye or bourbon (I personally prefer bourbon for a nice smoky flavour), sugar or simple syrup, ice, ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters and a citrus peel, and is built in a rocks glass (often called an ‘Old Fashioned’ glass). If you don’t have one, don’t worry – any short, wide-based glass will work just fine! Over the years, bartenders have experimented with countless delicious twists and creative adaptations on the original recipe, using an array of spirits, liqueurs and garnishes. No matter how you drink your Old Fashioned, one thing always remains consistent – it’s never complete without a few dashes of ANGOSTURA® aromatic or orange bitters. Since its inception almost 200 years ago, the traditional Old Fashioned has been made with ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters. Just a few dashes go a long way to balance the ingredients and flavours within the drink for a delicious, time-tested result. The citrus and spice notes present in ANGOSTURA® orange bitters also add an extra element of flavour to the cocktail, and can be used to provide a layer of zest to the signature Old Fashioned or a seasonal take on the drink.
Fun fact: THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA® launched ANGOSTURA orange bitters in 2007, a citrusy blend made using the same traditional techniques that THE HOUSE has been using to craft ANGOSTURA aromatic bitters since 1824.
Now that you’ve learned the origins of today’s Old Fashioned and the tasting notes that make this cocktail legendary, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test and craft your very own holiday-inspired Cranberry Old Fashioned, just the way I like it.
Let’s get started.
the process.
the ingredients.
• 3 oz. your favourite Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
• 1 oz. Cranberry Simple Syrup (1 part sugar – I enjoy Demerara or Turbinado, 1 part water and a handful of cranberries. Boil in a saucepan and stir to dissolve)
• 3-4 dashes ANGOSTURA orange bitters
• Garnishes: Fresh Cranberries, Rosemary or Thyme
• Ice
the payoff.
Grab a rocks glass and add whiskey, simple syrup and a few dashes of ANGOSTURA orange bitters. Stir to mix, then add ice. Garnish with fresh cranberries and your choice of rosemary or thyme.
cheers.